“Last week, my friend Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, sent a letter to six major studios and the Motion Picture Association of America, urging them to speak out about the ongoing atrocities in Russia. So far, every one of them has avoided comment. The truth is, there is virtually no other industry that can make a greater impact than ours. In 2012, annual box-office returns for the top 50 films in Russia topped $900 million. Nearly every one of those movies is a product of Hollywood. Our business matters to Russia, our voices are heard in Russia, and the combination of these avenues of influence can absolutely help end these dark days there. Because the truth is, the other thing that will soon be noted by Putin and LGBT Russians alike is our industry’s silence and apathy. And LGBT Russians living in fear and putting their lives on the line deserve better than our inaction and silence.” – Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black, writing for the Hollywood Reporter.